Three years have passed, and now the enchanted beasts have lost their vibrant green luster, bearing only withered and bleak yellow hues.

Gu Changjin received the two creatures with great solemnity.

"Many thanks, Miss Xu. Lord Guan is currently not in the capital. When I meet him, I will surely pass on this enchanted beast to your esteemed mother on your behalf."

Xu Li'er felt a sting in her nose, her eyes welling up completely with tears.

She was merely a girl of fifteen or sixteen, once possessed of remarkable beauty. But the hardships she endured over the past nine months had left her unnaturally thin and haggard.

With a handkerchief, Xu Li'er wiped away her tears. Once her emotions had somewhat settled, she solemnly bowed in gratitude to Gu Changjin for saving her life.

The two magical beasts in his hands felt as heavy as a thousand pounds. Looking at Xu Li'er, Gu Changjin spoke softly, "Empress Dowager is known for her compassion towards the vulnerable, especially women and children. If Miss Xu were to enter the palace, it would be wise to request an imperial favor from Her Majesty, asking to serve by her side."

Though Yang Rong was imprisoned, Yang Xu's faction still roamed free. Changping Prefecture was Yang Xu's hometown, where the Yang family held immense power. If Xu Li'er returned there, she wouldn't be able to protect herself.

Not just in Changping Prefecture, as long as Yang Xu lived, there would likely be no safe haven for Xu Li'er in this world, unless someone even Yang Xu feared could offer her shelter.

There was a suitable candidate at hand—

Empress Qi of the Kunning Palace.

Gu Changjin conversed briefly with Xu Li'er before returning to his office, engrossing himself silently in paperwork.

In the evening, Chang Ji came to fetch him, and the two traveled back in silence.

Upon alighting from the carriage, Gu Changjin strode hastily forward, with Chang Ji following in quiet companionship.

It wasn't until Gu Changjin took a wrong turn at a fork in the road that Chang Ji finally spoke up, "Master, that path leads to Songsi Courtyard."

The man abruptly halted.

He was supposed to return to his study. For the past few days, he had gone straight there after his duties, avoiding Songsi Courtyard. Just now, when he got off the carriage, his mind had instructed him to head for the study.

Strangely, his body seemed to have a will of its own, yearning only for Songsi Courtyard. Had it not been for Chang Ji's reminder, he might not have noticed his deviation.

As if, going to Songsi Courtyard had never been a wrong choice.

Gu Changjin turned around, not looking at Chang Ji, and walked silently towards his study.

It was the still hour of dusk when shadows danced among the trees, and the setting sun slumbered quietly on the tips of the phoenix trees.

Underneath the phoenix tree, a young maiden held a lamp with a green gauze shade, counting the fallen leaves in silence.

Gu Changjin paused, gazing at the slender and delicate figure beneath the tree.

Then, strangely, the flames that raged within his flesh and bones seemed to be soothed, subsiding obediently into stillness.

The pain vanished, and even the heavy, oppressive gloom in his heart evaporated instantly. In its place, his heart throbbed with a "thump, thump" sensation.

As evening shadows crept across his brows and eyes, the maiden's lamp grew brighter, casting a gentle glow that illuminated the moment she looked back. Her eyes appeared to hold an endless expanse of stars.

Gu Changjin's breath hitched slightly.

Rong Shu had not seen Gu Changjin for quite some time now.

He had spent only one night in the Songsi Courtyard. Since that day, he had returned to his study, leaving early and coming home late each day. Not a single word had passed between them.

On this day, Emperor Jia You ordered the verdict of the Xue Li'er case to be displayed outside the Criminal Ministry, drawing crowds of citizens from across the capital to witness it.

Countless commoners cheered, with some bold ones even waiting along the route to the Tai Li Shi Prison where Yang Rong was being escorted, throwing stones at his prison carriage.

Yingyue and Ying Que were discussing the matter early in the morning. If not for Mother Zhang's intervention, Ying Que would have sneaked out to watch Yang Rong suffer the stone-throwing on the streets.

Rong Shu had actually been anticipating this day.

In her previous life, Jin died, Yang Rong was taken to the Tai Li Shi Prison, and Xue Li'er was found hanged the next day in an inn, leaving behind a letter written in blood.

The content of the blood letter was unknown to Rong Shu, and Gu Changjin had never mentioned it to her.

But back then, the people of the entire capital whispered that Xue Li'er, overwhelmed by the grief of losing her mother and enraged by Yang Xu, Yang Rong's uncle, who held sway over the Eastern Depot and allowed its agents and those of the Northern Inspectorate to cause her mother's death, had left the blood letter as a testament before taking her own life.

Xue Li'er's suicide caused a great uproar in the capital. The citizens no longer applauded the verdict displayed outside the ministry. Instead, they all spoke of how the real culprit had yet to face justice, leaving both Xue Li'er and Jin with unsatisfied spirits.

Rong Shu remembered that Xue Li'er's body was discovered at dawn, less than three hours after her death.

This meant that Xue Li'er had hanged herself during the midnight hour. And now, there were still more than two hours until that fateful moment.

In the darkness, Rong Shu held a square wooden box in the hand that wasn't holding the lantern. Gu Changjin recognized it as the Cangrong Pill she had brought back from the Marquis residence on the day she returned home.

The man's lips curled slightly.

Was she here to give him more Cangrong Pills again?

Didn't she know he was already taking medicine and couldn't consume these pills?

Rong Shu was unaware of the man's misunderstanding.

She walked gracefully towards him with the lantern, giving a faint smile as she said, "I've heard that the case you were working on has finally been solved. I have a favor to ask of you, my lord."

A favor?

Gu Changjin glanced at the box in her fair, delicate hand and replied coolly, "What is it? Speak."

"Miss Xu's mother passed away today. She must be suffering greatly. She also endured hardships at the Yang Rong residence previously. With such a sudden loss, her body might not be able to withstand it. So, I thought of sending her some Cangrong Pills to express my condolences."

Rong Shu had rehearsed this speech for an entire afternoon, and she spoke without any sign of strain or blushing. She captured the tone of indignation, sympathy, and sorrow perfectly.

Yet inwardly, she was uncertain, and her grip on the long bamboo lantern handle tightened involuntarily.

Gu Changjin's eyes narrowed slightly.

The last time she mentioned Yang Xu's adopted son to him, she had displayed this tiny gesture as well.

This was likely a subconscious habit of hers that she wasn't even aware of; whenever she felt nervous, her delicate fingers, like slender scallions, would instinctively clasp onto something.